Unlocking Education's Future with R&D with Auditi Chakravarty

In this episode of Trending in Education, we welcome Auditi Chakravarty, CEO of the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (AERDF), to explore the cutting edge of education R&D. We begin by tracing Auditi's journey from a high school English teacher to a leader in curriculum and assessment development, with stops at Kaplan and the College Board, where she helped shape major programs like AP and the redesigned SAT.  

Now, at the helm of AERDF, Auditi is driving a new approach to R&D in education, one that models itself on advanced research project agencies like DARPA, emphasizing cross-sector collaboration and a focus on breakthrough innovations. We dive into AERDF's four key programs, including the groundbreaking AugmentEd, which explores the role of AI in augmenting teaching and learning. We also discuss EF+Math, Assessment for Good, and Reading Reimagined, each tackling critical challenges in education with a focus on evidence-based solutions.  

Key Takeaways:

• Discover AERDF's innovative approach to education R&D, inspired by models like DARPA, and its potential to revolutionize teaching and learning.  
• Explore the transformative power of AI in education and how AERDF's AugmentEd program is working to shape the future of AI-augmented classrooms.  
• Learn about AERDF's initiatives to advance assessment practices, improve math skills through executive function development, and address literacy challenges in grades 3-8.  
• Understand the critical importance of R&D in education and how it drives evidence-based practices to support teachers and students.  

Why You Don't Want to Miss This:

This episode offers a unique glimpse into the future of education R&D and the potential for groundbreaking innovations to transform teaching and learning. Whether you're an educator, researcher, policymaker, or simply passionate about the future of education, this conversation with Auditi Chakravarty will leave you inspired and informed.

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00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:57 Auditi's Origin Story

01:17 Journey Through Kaplan and College Board

02:16 The Role and Impact of AP Programs

06:32 Transition to AERDF

07:31 Understanding AERDF's Mission

09:19 Exploring AERDF's Programs

09:45 The Role of AI in Education

16:53 AugmentEd: The Future Classroom

22:40 Other AERDF Programs

29:41 Final Thoughts and Takeaways